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📢I talk🎙️with Mika Shino Founder & CEO of Issei Mochi Gummies from Bethesda, MD. 👏🍷 🎇 🎉 ✨ 👏 🥂 😁

If you haven't tried these yet, you are missing out. She shares her amazing story how a Whole Foods buyers' instincts kick-started this brand and how Mika with her PR philosophy landed her on the cover of Inc Magazine within two years as Inc Female Founder 2024!

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https://youtu.be/v-jW5OSs_sw

Summary

Mika Shino shares her journey from Kyoto, Japan, to becoming a successful entrepreneur with her brand, Issei Mochi Gummies.

She discusses her cultural influences, experiences at the UN in Paris, France, and the challenges of creating a healthier candy option for children. Mika emphasizes the importance of food in brain development, the philosophy of jazz in business, and her commitment to customer engagement through personal touches in her branding.

The conversation highlights her dedication to quality and the continuous evolution of her product. In this engaging conversation, Mika shares her journey of launching a product with Whole Foods, the challenges of manufacturing, and the importance of building relationships in the industry.

She discusses the pivotal moment at Expo West, her upcoming launches with Target, and the innovative flavors she is developing. Mika also opens up about the struggles of being a small business owner, the recognition she has received, and offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of starting without fear of failure.

AWARDS 2024
Inc. Magazine 2024 #2 Female Founders List
Most Innovative New Product 2024 Small Business Innovator
2024 Stevie Award Best Female Entrepreneur
World Food Innovation Award Best Snack 2024

#IsseiMochiGummies #fnbinnovation #ThirstyThursdays

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📢 HAPPY VETERANS DAY!!! "Special Segment Launch: Military Veterans in Civilian Life!"

📢I talk🎙️with Eric Martindale Founder & CEO of Elite Commerce Group in the Greater Philly area. 👏🍷 🎇 🎉 ✨ 👏 🥂 😁

Learn how to leverage Amazon to Sell Retail and Learn tricks for CPG on Instacart!

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https://youtu.be/TMlJ2JeZ-Co

Learn how Eric transitioned from Executive Officer of the 2nd Combat Engineer Battalion to Founder and CEO of a game-changing technology for CPG companies selling online.

We discussed his transition from military to civilian life, the impact of elections on military operations, and the importance of discipline.

Eric shares his experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan, his journey into entrepreneurship, and how he navigates the Amazon marketplace with his agency.

Eric discusses various aspects of retail media, focusing on strategies for increasing product turns in stores like Whole Foods and Sprouts. They explore the significance of digital marketing in the beverage industry, the role of demos, and the challenges of mistrust in retail media reporting.

Eric shares insights on the transition from military to civilian life, emphasizing the importance of creating a new identity and the realities of job searching for veterans. The discussion concludes with reflections on how military experience shapes leadership in business.

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📢I talk🎙️with Thomas Angel Co-Founder of Altitude Beverages in Bend, Oregon. 👏🍷 🎇 🎉 ✨ 👏 🥂 😁

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https://youtu.be/cWkac6fkdHs

[Originally Posted on April 5th, 2023.]

Thomas and his wife started Altitude Beverage because they wanted to create a coffee alternative for those that are in the CBD and Better-for-you beverage space. Their coffee alternative drinks are all Nitro cocktails that you actually shake before opening. They are smooth beverages mixed with Oatmilk, my favorite, 30mg of CBD, and Adaptogens which assist you in getting your day started. These are feel-good ingredients like Lion’s Mane for FOCUS, Chaga for immunity, and Reishi for gut health just to name a few.

They didn’t stop there. Next was all about the afternoon happy hour time you spend with your loved ones discussing your day. They were wanting a non-alcoholic option that helped you wind down. So, just like getting your day started, they wanted to help you wind down just the same.

They created three very different mocktails that have 20mg of CBD and are all based with white tea and a few bubbles. These adaptogens are for a nice recovery to the end of your day with Gaba, for calm, L-Thianine for relaxation and 5-HTP for serotonin.

Thomas had a very unusual journey into the beverage space and his story is one of kind. I don’t know a lot of Americans that speak Chinese, let alone one that ended up working for the President of Boeing living in Beijing, China. He tells his journey working at Boeing for 10 years and why he and his wife started Altitude Beverages.

https://www.westock.io/
Request to add this product to your favorite retailer

Be Sure to Watch Snack Attack!!
https://www.amazon.com/Snack-Attack-Season-1/dp/B092H3TFH7

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📢I talk🎙️with Chie, Chief Administrative Officer & Brooks Addington CEO of TOST. 👏🍷 🎇 🎉 ✨ 👏 🥂 😁 YouTube: https://youtu.be/0zelyx78hH8

The word is out! Check out their PRESS page of everyone saying so!

As an ending to "Sober October" we have a wonderful couple on to talk about the brand they are managing now called TOST (pronounced TOAST) and in PROST or cheers in other languages.

This dynamic duo from Hiroshima, Osaka andTokyo, Japan and Chicago have a great perspective and experience that they each brought to the brand building of a popular non-alc bubbles alternative.

Conversations started as early as 2014 and since 2016, they have building this TOST brand from a plethora of cultural experiences living all around the world from Tokyo, London, Toronto and now Vermont.

ALthough they are not the founders, they have been majority owners and running it since 2017 back when there was not a plethora of premium non-alc options. And our culture was to eliminate going out period if you weren't drinking.

This brand has gone through at least 50 iterations since 2016 which was their soft launch. They quickly got distribution in 50 stores and asked Brooks to help from there.

TOAST fully launched in April 2017 and the why stems from the classic saying There's a problem, so how do we solve it?" question. They wanted to create a beverage that could be widely liked and great with or without food.

100% sourced and made in the USA and has a 2 year shelf life

This is a High-Quality brand!!!

Tasting:
TOST Original
A blend of white tea, white cranberry (mouthfeel stringency), some extracts: ginger, citrus plus a secret blend of 80-90 spices and flavors in it! Great acidity as my mouth produced a great amount of saliva. Sweetness with agave.

Good nose, mouth feel and relatively dry finish
Pairings with anything!

Rose
Dryer than the original and has elderberry vs cranberry. A bit less acidic and is softer with a longer finish. Sweetened with cane sugar.

I like them both for their different styles and they can be enjoyed for different occasions.

Product Offering:
Comes in Slim Cans - Limited to Arenas, Resorts, Pool Side, Cruise Lines
4pk Mini 250ML bottles $13.99
750ml Bottles $8.99 - $9.99 may be at $12.99

DSD wasn't interested. But the Athletic Brewing team helped make it more mainstream as they grew over the years. So, this widespread acceptance has evolved their distribution network.

They started with specialty grocery, mom and pop stores, and independents that gave early trial through 2020. Once we demoed it really took off.

Off-Premise
Now we are in Walmart, Albertsons, Total Wine, ABC, Bev MO, HEB, Sprouts, Fresh Ma

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📢I talk🎙️with Marco Marano the Co-Founder of Prime Pave. 👏🍷 🎇 🎉 ✨ 👏 🥂 😁

Now on YouTube! 📽️🎞️ https://youtu.be/qSWaxmfFX8I

I'm excited to feature Marco's Prima Pave for "Sober October!" We recorded the podcast earlier in the year, but I wanted to post it during its most impact.

Italy's Most Awarded Non-Alcoholic Wine

These were thought out, researched, and trialed until the exact balance was created. Marco's wife was pregnant and no non-alc wines tasted as good as their sophisticated Certified Specialists in Wine palates desired. So, they sought out their own that did.

They hit the nail on the head with this brand folks. It's real Italian wine with the alcohol removed.

Bubbles without the Booze!

• Use their proprietary, all-natural de-alc process
• No Sugar, Additives or Chemicals Added
• Showcase the terroir, character and depth of flavor expressed by hand-selected Italian grapes

First Evers!

• First Non-Alc Wine to be Sold in Williams-Sonoma
• First-Ever Non-Alc Wine in Eataly

Distribution

• 42+ States and Internationally
• Park Hyatt, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, and Eleven Madison Park
• Italy's Most Awarded Non-Alcoholic Wine

All four Won medals - Purchase Online Here!

San Francisco International Wine Competition, IWSC International Wine & Spirits Competition and Sommeliers Choice Awards.

All are made in Northern Italy

Rose Brut
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Pinot Grigio Sauv Blanc, Gewurz
IWSC: Silver (94 points)
San Francisco International WIne Competition: Silver
Sommeliers Choice: Silver

Rose Dolce
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Pinot Grigio Sauv Blanc, Gewurz
San Francisco International WIne Competition: Silver
Sommeliers Choice: Silver

Blanc de Blanc
Pinot Grigio, Sauv Blanc, Gewurz
San Francisco International WIne Competition: Silver

Grand Cuvee
100% Chardonnay
San Francisco International Wine Competition: Silver

These non-alcoholic beverage bubbles are a wonderful gifting idea and the perfect alternative for those holiday celebrations.

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📢I talk🎙️with Bill Gamelli the Founder and CEO of Mocktails. He and two other families wanted an alternative to drinking over 10 years ago well before the trend has taken place over the last couple of years. 👏🍷 🎇 🎉 ✨ 👏 🥂 😁

Now on YouTube! 📽️🎞️ https://youtu.be/twbmiWcVEuQ

Bill’s inspiration for creating Mocktails was a result of the struggle his wife endured while not only trying to get pregnant but also staying the course on becoming partner at her law firm.

Bill quickly realized this was also a problem his closest friends were trying to solve which resulted in Mocktails.

Their latest iteration of Mocktails included Tales of the Cocktails winner Ezra Star. They used Ezra’s expertise and sought to source the exact botanicals that make their flavors unique and well-balanced.

These uniquely named cocktails are low in sugar and calories, vegan friendly and 99% recyclable packaging. They are the highest-rated mocktails with Master, Double Gold, Golds and Silver in both The Spirits Business’ “The Low & No Masters” competition and the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2021 and 2022.

Bill is a very inspiring individual. Not only has he co-founded companies in his career he also co-founded the Adult Non-Alcoholic Beverage Association to increase awareness for this growing industry.

Thank you for listening and be sure to subscribe to be notified of all new episodes!

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📢I talk🎙️with Karla Flores Co-Founder of & General Manager and Natasha Feiger Co-Founder & VP, Marketing and Partnerships at Jobu Beverages and Madam Paleta Tequila. 👏🍷 🎇 🎉 ✨ 👏 🥂 😁 Buy here!

Their naturally flavored tequilas have made a splash in our industry winning golds!

San Francisco Double Gold!
2023 Pr%%F Awards
Gold Awards John Barlycorn Awards best flavored Tequila (Tamarind)

Karla spent 17 years in beer and was a Natasha client for many years. They talked and dreamed of doing a project together; both are passionate about tequila.

Paleta, is a frozen treat made from fresh natural fruits such as strawberry or mango. They are a part of Mexican culture and have different authentic Mexican flavors. That's the authenticity that drove them to call their naturally flavored tequila Madam Paleta.

They knew there was an opportunity for flavored tequila, that didn't exist for the typical blanco, reposado and anejo tequilas.

They are unique in how they think of their bottles as a canvas and worked with 3 female artists to design the inside label of the bottle! They even have a glow in the dark message! Can you find it?

These ladies are amazing and we had so much fun on the podcast! I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Link to their delicious cocktails!

Mentor
Quinn Kilbury, helped Natasha in her career and assisted them with their brand incubator program.

Karla Recommends Author Brene Brown's book Dare to Lead

Why Tamarind? It's trending! More info on Tamarin

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📢I talk🎙️with Seth Benhaim, the Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Broken Barrel Whiskey Co. Seth is an innovator at his core. 👏🍷 🎇 🎉 ✨ 👏 🥂 😁

He is the quarterback of two very successful brands. The first, Infuse Spirits Group was the world’s first single-bottle infusion company. He infuses real fruits and spices in each bottle. Less than two years later at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, the brand won Double-Gold and Best-In-Show. Seth was only 25 and was the youngest CEO to earn that award. In 2015, he won the “Entrepreneur of the Year” at Nightclub & Bar Show. His real fruit infusions have won several awards including a 90-pts rating in Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

He then turned to the world of whiskey where he broke more barriers by adding multiple barrel types of all-finishing aged bourbon in tandem with aging the liquid in barrels. It took time to find the right partner to see his vision but neither have ever looked back. It is distilled and sourced from Owensboro Distilling Company by 8th generation Master Distiller Jacob Call using 100% Kentucky corn sourced from local farmers.

The core four items range from $40-$55 and LTOs have sold for $120. We tasted four different SKU’s on the podcast and Cask Strength, the only SKU priced at $55, was truly an amazing experience from the nose to finish.

Whiskey Magazine’s Icons of Whisky America 2023 awarded the Cask Strength “Brand Innovator” winner and World Whiskies Awards 2023 under the World’s Best Finished Bourbon category received the “Best Kentucky Finished Bourbon”. It also received 94 points from Tasting Panel Magazine.

Seth and his team have really broken many barriers in our industry and will continue to push the boundaries to find that next great spirit.

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